Sydney, Australia: Unusual close-ups of a remarkable human enigma - Ernest Soong Soong Yee, an Australian, born in New South Wales, whose parents died while in China and who was adopted by a Chinese family and brought up as a Celestial. He needs an interpreter to converse with his fellow-citizens in the land of his birth." (partial newsreel)


This movie is part of the collection: Universal Newsreels

Production Company: Universal Studios
Audio/Visual: sound, b&w
Keywords:

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - May 16, 2005
Subject: A White Man Who SPEAKS CHINESE??? AMAZING!!!
Brief newsreel story about an Australian man who was taken to China by his parents and then orphaned there, ending up being raised by Chinese villagers. The fact that hes a white man who is culturally and linguistically Chinese is portrayed with all the awe accorded to Siamese twins and other forms of freaks. Of course, the other way around isnt as amazing, which reveals the racism of the time. I have to admit, though, that I jumped a bit when his Chinese interpreter started speaking English with a perfect Australian accent.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.